Charles Ellicott Commentary Acts 7:9

"And the patriarchs, moved with jealousy against Joseph, sold him into Egypt: and God was with him," — Acts 7:9 (ASV)

The patriarchs, moved with envy.—This, interpreted by what follows, is the first step in the long induction which is to show that the elect of God had always been opposed and rejected by those who were at the time the representatives of the nation. Envy had motivated the patriarchs when they sold Joseph; envy had led their descendants to deliver up Jesus (Matthew 27:18). But human evil will had not frustrated God’s gracious purpose. Joseph was made ruler over a kingdom. A greater glory might therefore be in store for Him who had now been rejected by them.

Sold Joseph into Egypt.—The objection that Joseph’s brothers sold him not into Egypt, but to the Midianites and Ishmaelites (Genesis 37:25; Genesis 37:28), may well be dismissed as frivolous. They knew the trade which the Midianite slave-dealers conducted, and where their brother would be taken. So Joseph himself says of them, ye sold me hither (Genesis 45:5).